QPR celebrate Armed Forces veterans

ARMED Forces veterans who completed a QPR in the Community Trust employability programme were celebrated at the recent west London derby against Brentford at Loftus Road.

The programme – a partnership between QPR in the Community Trust and the Royal British Legion – was designed to provide the individual support required to enable ex-servicemen and women to integrate back into civilian life.

It involved CV writing, interview workshops and work experience, as well as advice on accessing benefits, arranging housing and using QPR’s links in the local business community to identify job opportunities.

“Many of the participants bear the hidden wounds sustained on the battlefield after fighting for our country, and much of the programme was focused on providing the emotional support required to move forward from this.

“We have good links with local employers in a range of industries, and we have used these in order to find work placements and, potentially, permanent jobs for those who took part.”

Successful participants were presented with certificates at half-time by the Leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, and former QPR players Ray Wilkins and Mark Lazarus.

Councillor Bell, whose borough is home to many supporters of both QPR and Brentford, said: “Too many ex-servicemen and women experience problems when they leave the military so it is great that QPR in the Community Trust and the Royal British Legion have created this project to support them.

“QPR in the Community Trust makes a real difference in helping disadvantaged people in west London, and I know that QPR fans are very proud of the work that they do.

“On behalf of Ealing Council, who are proud to have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, I congratulate all the participants of the programme and wish them every success in the future.”

Any armed forces veterans wanting to take part in a similar project in the New Year should contact Jack Kelley for more details on [email protected]